Parents warned about toasted skin syndrome from electronic devices
Health experts warn parents about toasted skin syndrome, a skin condition caused by prolonged heat from laptops and tablets.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Health experts have issued a fresh warning to parents about toasted skin syndrome, a condition that is becoming more common in children who use electronic devices. The condition, which gets its name from the mottled, discoloured skin it leaves behind, is caused by resting devices such as laptops or tablets directly on bare skin for long periods.
Toasted skin syndrome has traditionally been seen in adults who use hot water bottles or heated pads. But doctors now say the habit of children sitting with a laptop on their thighs or a tablet pressed against their legs is leading to a rise in cases among younger users.
The warning comes as part of a broader health bulletin that also covered the risks of very hot drinks and the results of the National Television Awards. The advice to parents is to make sure children do not keep devices on their skin for extended stretches, and to use a barrier such as a cushion or a lap tray.
Experts stress that the condition is not usually dangerous, but it can cause lasting skin discolouration and, in rare cases, may lead to more serious skin damage. The key is to avoid prolonged direct heat exposure from everyday gadgets.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 |
|---|---|
| Toasted skin syndrome is caused by resting electronic devices on bare skin. | |
| Toasted skin syndrome is reported to be increasing in children who use electronic devices. | |
| Toasted skin syndrome is usually found in adults who use hot water bottles or heated pads. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The channel focused on the warning to parents, highlighting that the condition is on the rise in children who use electronic devices. It contrasted this with the usual adult cases linked to hot water bottles or heated pads, and presented the information as part of a wider health news roundup.
- “Parents are being warned about a condition on the rise in children who use electronic devices.”
- “Toasted skin syndrome as it's more commonly known is caused by resting electronic devices such as laptops on bare skin.”
- “It's usually found in adults who use hot water bottles or heated pads.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.